Battery Safety - Steel Soldiers::Military Vehicles Supersite

OPCOM · 10-05-2009, 01:28

Here is a little tip on battery safety. Maybe this could become a sticky thread if there is not one on battery safety already. It's an important topic. Having witnessed a battery explosion in someone's face and a fire caused by a short on a cranking battery, It's worthwhile to discuss it and see what input the members may have on batery safety and use.

Please take the poll.

What things are wrong in the attached image?

There could also be posted some data here concerning the slightly technical yet very necessary aspects of charging voltages, currents, temperatures, and other factors. One size does not fit all. While is is easy to say "just get a computerized charger", there is much more to knowing what to do with your batteries than plugging idiot box into the wall and clamping some cables on those lead posts. The charger, regardless of what the manufacturer says, probably can't tell the difference between a riding lawnmower battery, a 6TL, or an AGM unit. Remember, after the Zombie Apocalypse, this information could save your life.

So, back to the image:

1. Rotten battery clamp - poor PMCS. This can cause a spark and battery explosion, or become hot during cranking and cause a fire in all the greasy rags that are probably stuffed in various orifices of this engine compartment.
Solution: replace the clamp, cleaning the cables(s) while you are at it. Be sure to clean the terminal and wipe off the top of the battery as well.

2. Using a wood clamp to maintain integrity of the rotten clamp. This is a a "battle damage assessment" type of repair. If no one is shooting at you, there are few excuses for doing this in broad daylight.
Solution: Never do this..

3. The wood clamp's handle is very close to the other terminal of the battery. This could cause a spark and battery explosion, or this could end up by welding the clamp into one piece and also across the battery. If nothing else happens, the battery will be discharged within a few minutes and the internal heat generated by that chemical reaction could cause the battery to explode.
Solution: Since you did this stupid thing anyway, at least turn the handle the other way, away from the hot terminal. Some duct tape might be in order.

4. The battery does not fit the holder. In this case the metal lip of the holder is eventually going to cut into the battery case and let the electrolyte leak out.
Solution: when installing batteries of different-than-stock sizes, be sure there is adequate clearance for all hardware.

5. what else?

hole · 10-05-2009, 01:36

OPCOM · 10-05-2009, 02:35

Here's a good image of an exploded battery. not much to look at, but consider the acid spraying out all those holes at once, propelled by brning hydrogen and oxygen.

grizcty · 10-05-2009, 03:21

"5. what else?"

Ain't anything right about this battery!

As a Interstate Battery Dealer.

I happened to notice it is NOT a Interstate!
1) Some dumb ass has a neg terminal (black) on a POSITIVE post!

2) cheap battery clamps
3) too many wires
4) no tie down/battery crooked
5) corrosion

In a emergency vice grips can be used as a clamp.
Just make sure that it cant touch anything.

digitaldust · 10-05-2009, 03:47

watch out for wrenches that might contact the other post wile working around the bats.

4x4 Forever · 10-05-2009, 03:55

6. Also, be aware of your battery system. I have a tractor with Positive
ground. Meaning, if you do swing a wrench toward the NEG side, it WILL arc and WILL light you up. Dont ask me how I know...

7. What else?

cranetruck · 10-05-2009, 06:49

Add to that the precaution of always removing the negative connection first and installing it lastly. That way if you accidentally touch ground when working on the positive, it won't cause a short and touching ground (chassis= battery box) when working on the negative terminal is harmless.
Find 1/2" and 9/16" open end wrenches with plastic handles.

Read the PS magazine articles on the old site about battery care and safety.

dittle · 10-05-2009, 08:29

When installing/removing batteries (which I do more often than I would like) at the museum I always wear gloves and keep my hands w/ gloves between the box end wrenches and anything metal that the wrench could short to. Also do this when I'm removing the series cable that goes b/t the two batteries. Haven't had any sparks doing it this way.

m16ty · 10-05-2009, 22:57

I voted I have witnessed an explosion. It happened right in my face. The charger had a bad connection so I went to "wiggle" the clamps, spark, BOOM. Happened when I was 15. I know better know. Learned that when a battery charges it vents off explosive hydrogen gas. Had a mini Hindenburg in my hands.

WillWagner · 10-05-2009, 22:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by dittle

When installing/removing batteries (which I do more often than I would like) at the museum I always wear gloves and keep my hands w/ gloves between the box end wrenches and anything metal that the wrench could short to. Also do this when I'm removing the series cable that goes b/t the two batteries. Haven't had any sparks doing it this way.

except for the gloves, I use multiple rags,tape and wood. A 24VDC spark is like arc welding. I always wash up after handling lead acid bats. I have been doing truck stuff as far back as I can remember, including when 24VDC was standard on trucks. It still scares the pee pee outa me. Batteries can be unpredictable.